WEST WINDSOR — Just as the puck was heading out of the zone Keith Allen controlled it and rifled a shot back on goal.

It travelled far enough to reach the back of the net and it was just the start Robbinsville needed.

The Ravens scored early and let the defense blank Hopewell Valley in a 5-0 win in a Colonial Valley Conference game played on the ice at Mercer County Rink.

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Robbinsville (3-0, 3-0 CVC) had not played in nearly a week and it wasted little time getting on the board as it scored three first period goals. The Ravens put the finishing touch on with a pair in the third period.

“It was a good feeling to get ahead early like that,” said Allen, a defenseman. “It starts off with the one goal and the momentum builds. Everyone was playing really good and it just kept going on.”

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs (3-2, 3-1 CVC) saw their three-game winning streak halted, as they couldn’t get much going.

“We were just flat,” said HV coach Rob Donovan. “We aren’t making any excuses. When you only generate 15 shots a game it’s not going to get it done. We have to take this and learn from it and get ready for the next one.”

History will show the ‘Dawgs usually find a way to bounce back.

Once the Ravens’ got Allen’s 35-footer found the back of the net it was flowed by a pair of power play goals. Coleman Anker with an assist from Allen and Dan Cox just 14 seconds into the power play made 2-0.

“The puck came out and it was a wild shot,” said Allen of his goal. “I was hoping it would get on net. I think it went up on the top shelf.”

Then with just 33 seconds left in the initial period Logan Fredericks put Robbinsville up 3-0 off a pass from John Martin.

“We got on top early,” said Robbinsville coach Dan Bergan. “We had a lot of motivation in the locker room.”

Hopewell Valley’s Ryan Dajczak was solid in the net with 33 saves and Kellen Anker had 15 saves for Robbinsville.

Anker and his brother, Coleman, were playing with a heavy heart as their grandmother passed away over the weekend.

Once the Ravens got the advantage they did a great job on defense limiting the shots Hopewell Valley was able to get on the power play.

“It was tough when we had three guys in the box,’’ said Allen of slowing down the Hopewell Valley power play. “Our guys did a good job in controlling themselves and not making bad decisions. We made the simple plays and didn’t do anything to hurt ourselves.’’

Once Allen stepped up to the blue line and unleashed a shot it was the first of good decisions for the Ravens.